Deprived area of Hastings given one million pounds

Hastings Locals have been given the chance to shape their neighbourhood with a one million pound grant.

Tressell, Ore and Baird wards, some of the most deprived areas in the England, have been given the money by Big Local, which is part of the National Lottery Trust.

The resident led project will take place over the next 10 years, in the hope that residents will actively help their own communities.

Chairman of the Big Local Hastings, Ron Bennett, said in an interview: “What we're trying to do is raise awareness of the skills and knowledge in residents about how they can influence (their area), so we can get people out, regardless of how they vote."

“If we can say to them your vote matters, don’t just whinge, go out and vote when they get the opportunity I think that will be a good, concrete thing to achieve.”

The Big Local wants to see residents involved. At the moment the North East of Hastings has 38 per cent of their children living in poverty, one third of residents have no academic qualifications and over 50% of the residents live in deprivation.

Cllr Tania Charman of the Tressell ward is working closely with the Big Local project and said: “this project is about providing residents with the support and means to make the changes they want.

“So far we’ve seen a lot of familiar faces but also some new ones. Its good to see the community come together."